Adaptive carrier insert bar assembly

ABSTRACT

An insert bar assembly can comprise an elongate hitch-attachment bar which in turn comprises a hitch-receiver insert portion located at an insertable end of the bar. An insert bar assembly can include an expander which accommodates attachment of the assembly to a hitch which is larger than the insert portion of the bar.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.61/513,963, filed Aug. 1, 2011, which is fully incorporated by referenceherein.

FIELD OF THE TECHNOLOGY

The present disclosure relates generally to an insert bar assembly for ahitch-rack load carrier. More specifically, embodiments within thisdisclosure relate to an adaptive connector mechanism for an insert barassembly of a hitch-rack load carrier. An insert bar assembly cancomprise a leveraged expander which enables the assembly to attach aload carrier to hitch receivers of varying sizes.

BACKGROUND OF THE TECHNOLOGY

Safely transporting sports equipment is a concern for many sportsenthusiasts. For example, transporting a bicycle by automobile has manysafety concerns. If a bicycle rack were to become disconnected from avehicle while driving it could damage the rack and a bicycle beingtransported and affect the safety of other motorists. One way to securea rack to a vehicle is to insert an insert bar into a hitch on thevehicle and insert a pin through corresponding holes in the insert barand the hitch. Sometimes, however, the receiver tube of the hitch islarger than the insert portion of a carrier rack. For example, ahitch-rack load carrier may be 1.25 square inches at its lead-in end,while the corresponding aperture on the hitch might be 2 square inches.Various embodiments of the technology pertain to a hitch assembly withan expander to enable a suitable connection between a hitch and acarrier. Various embodiments of the technology pertain to an adapterassembly which can enable a suitable connection between a hitch and acarrier.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Implementations of the present application will now be described, by wayof example only, with reference to the attached figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an insert bar for a hitch-rack loadcarrier in accordance with an example embodiment;

FIG. 1A is an internal view of an insert bar for a hitch-rack loadcarrier in accordance with an example embodiment

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an insert bar for a hitch-rack loadcarrier in accordance with an example embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an insert bar for a hitch-rack loadcarrier in accordance with an example embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an insert bar for a hitch-rack loadcarrier in a locked configuration in accordance with an exampleembodiment;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an insert bar for a hitch-rack loadcarrier in accordance with an example embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a side view of an insert bar for a hitch-rack load carrier inaccordance with an example embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a cut-away side view of an insert bar for a hitch-rack loadcarrier in accordance with an example embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a side view of an insert bar for a hitch-rack load carrier inan expanded configuration accordance with an example embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a cut-away side view of an insert bar for a hitch-rack loadcarrier in an expanded configuration accordance with an exampleembodiment;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an adapter assembly for an insert barassembly of a hitch-rack load carrier in accordance with an exampleembodiment;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an insert bar for a hitch-rack loadcarrier received within a hitch in accordance with an exampleembodiment;

FIG. 12 is a cross-section of a hitch-rack load carrier received withina hitch in accordance with an example embodiment; and

FIG. 13 is another cross-section of hitch-rack load carrier receivedwithin a hitch in accordance with an example embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration,where appropriate, reference numerals have been repeated among thedifferent figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. Inaddition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide athorough understanding of the implementations described herein. However,it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that theimplementations described herein can be practiced without these specificdetails. In other instances, methods, procedures and components have notbeen described in detail so as not to obscure the related relevantfunction being described. Also, the description is not to be consideredas limiting the scope of the implementations described herein.

Within the technology, an insert bar assembly for a hitch-rack loadcarrier can comprise a self-locating securement pin. The securement pincan be configured to have a tip-fixed position in a pin-securedconfiguration of the insert bar assembly. The insert bar assembly canincorporate an elongate hitch-attachment bar having a hitch-receiverinsert portion which is located at an insertable end of the bar. Theassembly can include a flexible securement pin or a rigid securement pinwhich is coupled via a hinge-device or other suitable means to the barat an unchanging distance from the engagement end of the pin. Theassembly can be configured to enable or accommodate repetitive, samelocation positioning of the engaging end of the securement pin on thebar 104 when the assembly is in a pin-secured configuration of theinsert bar assembly.

Within the technology, a hitch assembly can be configured with anexpander to enable a suitable connection between a hitch and a carrier.

Within the technology an adapter assembly can be configured to enable asuitable connection between a hitch and a carrier.

Referring to FIG. 1, a perspective view of an insert bar assembly for ahitch-rack load carrier in accordance with an example embodiment isillustrated. The illustrated assembly 100 is not secured to the hitch150. As shown, the insert bar assembly 100 can comprise a self-locatingpin 102 for securing the insert bar assembly 100 of a carrier (notshown) to a hitch 150 of a vehicle (not shown). The pin can be made offlexible or inflexible material. The insert assembly 100 can furthercomprise an elongate hitch-attachment bar 104 with a hitch-receiverinsert portion 106 located at an insertable end 114 of the bar 104. Theinsertable end 114 can be configured to be inserted into a receiving endof the hitch 150. The insert assembly 100 can further comprise asecurement pin 102 coupled to the bar 104 at a fixed distance 110 froman engagement end 112 of the pin 102 which accommodates or enablesrepetitive, same location positioning of the engagement end 112 of thepin when the assembly 100 is in a pin-secured configuration. The tip 116of the securement pin 102 can be biased towards the hitch attachment bar104 via a spring or other suitable means located within a space interiorof the insert bar assembly 100. The attachment assembly 100 and therebythe carrier rack (not shown) can be releasably attached to the hitch 150when the engagement end 112 of the pin 102 is received by an aperture160 in the hitch 150. The securement pin 102 can be coupled to the bar104 via a hinge (not shown) or other suitable means to enable it to belaterally translatable with respect to the bar 104. The pin 102 can thusbe pivotally coupled to the bar 104 at a fixed distance 110 from anengagement end 112 of the pin 102. The engagement end 112 of the pin 102can comprise a pin-tip 116 which may engage a pin-tip engagement surface120 of the bar 104 or a pin-tip engagement area (e.g. 160) on a hitch orboth. The pin-tip engagement surface 120 can include a pin-tip receiver122 which can be an intent or hole or depression in the bar 104. Asillustrated in FIG. 1, the elongate hitch-attachment bar 104 cancomprise a hitch-receiver insert portion 106 located at an end 114 ofthe bar 104 insertable into a hitch 150.

Referring to FIG. 1A, an alternate perspective view of an insert barassembly for a hitch-rack load carrier in accordance with an exampleembodiment is illustrated. As was the case with FIG. 1, the illustratedassembly 100 is not secured to the hitch 150. The insertable end 114 ofthe attachment bar 104 can be configured to be fit within a hitch 150 ona vehicle (not shown). The insert assembly 100 can further comprise asecurement pin 102 coupled to the bar 104 at a fixed distance 110 froman engagement end 112 of the pin 102 which accommodates or enablesrepetitive, same location positioning of the engagement end 112 of thepin when the assembly 100 is in a pin-secured configuration. The tip 116of the securement pin 102 can be biased towards the hitch attachment bar104 via a spring or other suitable means located within a space 201interior of the insert bar assembly 100 (see FIG. 2). A pin-tip point ofcontact 130 can be located on the insertable end 114 of the bar 104 andthe engagement end 112 of the pin 102, with a pin-tip 116 abuttinglyengaging the pin-tip point of contact 130 located on the insertable end114 of the bar 104. The pin-tip point of contact 130 located on theinsertable end 114 of the bar 104 can consist of a recess, detent,indent, depression, concave area, convex area or flat surface (as shownin FIG. 1A).

Referring to FIG. 2, an internal perspective view showing of an insertbar for a hitch-rack load carrier in accordance with an exampleembodiment is illustrated. The illustrated assembly 100 is not securedto the hitch 150. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the insert bar assembly cancomprise a self-locating securement pin 102 having a tip-fixed position.The assembly 100 can contain an elongate hitch-attachment bar 104 whichcomprises a hitch-receiver insert portion 106 located at ahitch-insertable end 114 of the bar 104. The assembly can also contain arigid or flexible securement pin 102 which can be pivotally coupled tothe bar 104 at a fixed distance 110 from an engagement end 112 of thepin 102. The assembly 100 can thereby accommodate repetitive, samelocation positioning of the engagement end 112 of the pin 102 when in apin-secured configuration 302 of the insert bar assembly 100. Theassembly can further comprise a biasing member 206 which can be engagedupon the securement pin 102. The biasing member, which can consist of aspring or other suitable means, can bias the pin 102 toward apin-secured configuration. With further reference to FIG. 2, theassembly 100 can comprise a lock assembly 202 to prevent unauthorizedremoval of the assembly from the hitch 150. The lock assembly caninclude a cap cover 204 which can cover the securement pin 102 in apin-secured configuration, thereby preventing unauthorized movement ofbar assembly 100 when the assembly is in a pin-secured configuration andattached to a hitch 150.

Referring to FIG. 3, a perspective view of an insert bar assembly for ahitch-rack load carrier in accordance with an example embodiment isillustrated. The assembly 100 is shown in a pin-secured configuration302. The pin 102 is shown in a tip-fixed position 300 relative theassembly 100 as in the other Figs. However the tip-fixed position 300 inFIG. 3 corresponds to the pin-secured configuration 302 illustrated.Although the assembly 100 and the pin 102 are in a pin-securedconfiguration 302, the assembly 100 is not in a locked configurationbecause the cap-cover 204 of the lock assembly 202 is not shielding thecoupled end 128 (of the securement pin 102 from contact.

Referring to FIG. 4, a perspective view of an insert bar assembly for ahitch-rack load carrier in accordance with an example embodiment isillustrated. The assembly 100 is shown in a pin-secured configuration302 and in a locked configuration 400. The pin 102 is shown in atip-fixed position 300 relative the assembly 100 as in the other Figs.As illustrated in FIG. 3, the tip-fixed position 300 illustrated in FIG.4 corresponds to a pin-secured configuration 302. The assembly 100 andthe pin 102 are in a pin-secured configuration 302, and the assembly isin a locked configuration 400 because the cap-cover 204 of the lockassembly 202 shields the coupled end 116 (not visible) of the securementpin 102 from contact. The assembly 100 can comprise a lock assembly 202.The assembly 100 or the lock assembly, or both, can be configured toallow pivoting of the cap cover 204 away from the bar 104 only, forexample, if a key is inserted into a lock within the assembly 100 or ifa combination is entered into a lock within the assembly 100.

Referring to FIG. 5, a perspective view of an insert bar assembly for ahitch-rack load carrier in accordance with an example embodiment isillustrated. The insert bar assembly illustrated includes a leveraged,diagonally directed expander 500 for securing the insert bar assembly100 in a receiver 150 of a hitch of a vehicle (not shown). The assembly100 comprises an elongate hitch-attachment bar 104 which has a length,width and height, and a hitch-receiver insert portion 106 which islocated proximate a lead-in end 114 of the bar 104. In order toaccommodate attachment of the assembly 100 to a hitch which is largerthan the insert portion 106 of the bar 104, the assembly 100 includes anexpander 500. The expander 500 can be configured to extend and retractin relation to an exterior surface (e.g., 502) of the hitch attachmentbar 104 in response to relative motion of the expander 500 on the bar104. The expander 500 can be moved by a leveraging rocker-arm 504 on theassembly 100. The leveraging rocker-arm 504 can inter-couple theexpander 500, the hitch-attachment bar 104 and a manually operableactuator 506, such as, for example, a knob, via a drive arm 512. Therocker-arm 504 can be configured for moving the expander 500 along thehitch-receiver insert portion 106 in response to manipulation of theactuator 506. In order to move the expander 500, a leveraging rocker-arm504 pivots in a plane perpendicular to the exterior surface 502 of thehitch attachment bar 104.

Referring to FIG. 6, a side view of an insert bar assembly for ahitch-rack load carrier in accordance with an example embodiment isillustrated. The assembly 100 is shown in non-expanded configuration.The side view of FIG. 6 is taken along a beveled corner running asubstantial length of the body 508 of the attachment bar 104. The body508 of the hitch-attachment bar 104 can be continuously solid along atleast a majority of the length of the hitch-attachment bar 104. Asexplained with reference to FIG. 5, in order to accommodate attachmentof the assembly 100 to a hitch which is larger than the insert portion106 of the bar 104, the assembly 100 includes an expander 500. Theexpander 500 can be arranged to extend and retract relative to anexterior surface (e.g., 502) of the hitch attachment bar 104 in responseto lateral motion of the expander 500 on the bar 104. The expander 500can include a wedge-shaped lower surface 600 that abuttingly rests on aramped exterior surface 602 of the hitch-receiver insert portion 106.When the wedge-shaped surface 600 is moved toward the actuator 506 inresponse to manipulation of the actuator 506 the expander 500 can moveinto a gap between the insert portion 106 and a hitch 150 (not shown).

Referring to FIG. 7, a cut-away side view of an insert bar assembly fora hitch-rack load carrier in accordance with an example embodiment isillustrated. The assembly 100 is shown in a non-expanded configuration.The hitch attachment bar 104 can be predominantly rectangularly shapedat the hitch-receiver insert portion 106 in cross-sections takenperpendicularly to the length of the bar 104. The hitch attachment bar104 has a beveled corner 604 which constitutes a diagonally outwardlyfacing exterior surface 602 upon which the ramped exterior surface 600of the hitch attachment bar 104 is located. In order to enable movementof the expander 500, the leveraging rocker-arm 504 can pivot on a pivotaxis 700 which is substantially parallel to the outward diagonallyfacing exterior surface 502 of the hitch attachment bar 104.Alternatively, the leveraging rocker-arm 504 can be configured to pivotin a plane perpendicular to the diagonally outwardly facing exteriorsurface 502 of the hitch attachment bar 104. The axis 700 can be formedby a pivot axle 702 extending across the hitch-attachment bar 104 andintersecting diagonal corners 514 of the hitch-attachment bar 104 (seeFIGS. 5 and 6). Thus the leveraging rocker-arm 504 can be configured topivot on the pivot axle 702 thereby causing extension of the expander500 into a recess in a hitch assembly on a vehicle (not shown).

Referring to FIG. 8, a side view of an insert bar assembly for ahitch-rack load carrier in accordance with an example embodiment isillustrated. The assembly 100 is shown in an expanded configuration inwhich a lower surface 600 of an expander 500 has been moved relative theattachment bar 104 in order that the expander 500 can adapt the assembly100 to attach to a hitch 150 (not shown) which has a receiving portionwhich is larger in height or width (or both) than the insert portion 106of the assembly 100. As discussed above, the hitch-attachment bar 104 atthe hitch-receiver insert portion 106 can be predominantly rectangularlyshaped in cross-sections taken perpendicular to the length of the bar104. The hitch attachment bar 104 can include a beveled corner 604constituting a diagonal exterior surface (502) which faces outwardly,and on which the ramped exterior surface 602 of the hitch-receiverinsert portion 106 can be located. In at least one embodiment, thehitch-attachment bar 104 at the hitch-receiver insert portion 106 can beshaped substantially like a pentagon in cross-sections takenperpendicularly to a length of the bar 104.

Referring to FIG. 9, a cut-away side view of an insert bar assembly fora hitch-rack load carrier in accordance with an example embodiment isillustrated. As discussed above, the assembly 100 can comprise anactuator 506 for expanding the expander 500 relative the rest of theassembly 100. The manually operable actuator 506 can comprise a threadedbolt 900 which can be threadingly engaged in a threaded receivingaperture 902 perpendicularly extending into the diagonally outwardlyfacing exterior surface (502) of the bar 104. The actuator 506 cancomprise a knob 904 or handle fixed upon the bolt 900. Rotation of theknob 904 in one direction causes advancement of the bolt 900 into thethreaded receiving aperture 902 and rotation of the knob 904 in theopposite direction causes advancement of the bolt 900 out of thethreaded receiving aperture 902. The bolt 900 can be configured toextend through an aperture in the drive arm 512 of the leveragingrocker-arm 504. As shown, the knob 904 can be located on the drive arm512 on an opposite side of the elongate hitch-attachment bar 104. Thelink arm 510 of the leveraging rocker-arm 504 can be pivotally coupledto one end of an elongate extension rod 910 that is coupled at anopposite end to the expander 500.

Referring to FIG. 10, a perspective view of an adapter assembly for ahitch-rack load carrier having an adapter in accordance with an exampleembodiment is illustrated. As illustrated, an adapter assembly 930 foran insert bar assembly 100 of a hitch-rack load carrier which is sizedfor insertion into a 1.25 inch square tubular hitch receiver can beadapted for insertion into a 2 inch square tubular hitch receiver 932.The adapter assembly 930 can comprise an expandable adapter 934 which ismountable upon an elongate hitch-attachment bar 104. The bar can besubstantially square in cross-sectional shape and sized for insertioninto a 1.25 inch square tubular hitch receiver. The assembly 100 caninclude an expander 500 which diagonally extends and retracts relativeto the bar 104. As shown, the adapter 934 can be configured to house orcontain a hitch-receiver insert portion 106 in a collapsed configuration936. The adapter 934 can comprise a main body 938 which has an interiorspace (not shown) defined by at least two substantially perpendicularinterior walls not shown.

Referring to FIG. 11, a perspective view of an insert bar for ahitch-rack load carrier received within a hitch in accordance with anexample embodiment is illustrated. The bar 104 of the assembly 100 isillustrated adaptively attached to a larger square tubular receiver 932(e.g., 150). A pin 102 coupled to the attachment bar 104 is insertedwithin an aperture 160 on a vehicle hitch 150. Thus the carrier (notshown) is releasably coupled to the hitch 150.

Referring to FIG. 12, a cross-section of hitch-rack load carrierreceived within a hitch in accordance with an example embodiment isillustrated. The adapter 934 of the carrier assembly 100 is shown in acollapsed configuration 936. An adapter assembly 930 of an insert barassembly 100 for a hitch-rack load carrier which is designed forinsertion into a 1.25 inch square tubular hitch receiver is adaptablefor insertion into a 2 inch square (or smaller) tubular hitch receiver932. The adapter assembly 930 can contain an expandable adapter 934mountable upon the attachment bar 104 that is substantially square incross-sectional shape and sized for insertion into a 1.25 inch squaretubular hitch receiver. The adapter assembly 930 can comprise anexpander 500 that diagonally extends and retracts in relation to the bar104. The adapter 934 can house a hitch-receiver insert portion 106 ofthe bar 104 in the collapsed configuration 936. The adapter 934 cancomprise a main body 938 which has an interior space (940) defined by atleast two substantially perpendicular interior walls 942 which can bepositioned adjacent to two exterior walls 944 of the hitch-receiverinsert portion 106. The adapter 934 can have an expansion member 946which is coupled to the main body 938 by a coupling 948 that allows forexpansion of the expansion member 946 away from the main body 938,thereby securing the insert bar assembly 100 to the hitch 150. Theexpansion member 946 can partially or wholly shroud the expander 500during extension and retraction of the expander 500. In at least oneembodiment, the coupling that couples the expansion member 946 to themain body 938 comprises an extension finger 950 which projects into aretention space 952 on the main body 938. The extension finger 950 canhave a bulbous tip 954 which can be trapped by a restrictive neck of theretention space 952 on the main body 938.

Referring to FIG. 13, another cross-section of hitch-rack load carrierreceived within a hitch in accordance with an example embodiment isillustrated. In FIG. 13, the adapter 934 is shown in an uncollapsed orexpanded configuration 960 wherein the expander 500 has been laterallytranslated towards the walls of the hitch. The center of the end of theattachment bar 104 remains centered within the hitch 150 in a collapsedconfiguration 936 and an expanded configuration 960. The coupling 948 ofthe adapter 934 that couples the expansion member 946 to its main body938 can comprise an extension finger 950 on the expansion member 946which projects into a retention space 952 on the main body 938. Theextension finger 950 can be configured with a bulbous tip 954 which canbe trapped in the retention space 952 by a restrictive neck in theretention space 952. The coupling 948 can comprise a restrainingtongue-in-groove interconnection 952. A tongue 962 of thetongue-in-groove interconnection 952 can include an extension off of theexpansion member 946 and into a groove 964 formed in the main body 938.Additionally, the tongue 962 is can comprise an elongate fin 966 whichterminates in a bullnose 968 at a distal end of the fin 966.Furthermore, the groove 964 can comprise an elongate track 980 whichends in a necked access slot 982 at a distal end of the track 980.

Example implementations of the technology include an insert bar assembly100 for a hitch-rack load carrier comprising a self-locating securementpin 102. The securement pin 102 can have a tip-fixed position 300 in apin-secured configuration 302. As set forth above, embodiments of theinsert bar assembly 100 can comprise an elongate hitch-attachment bar104 which in turn comprises a hitch-receiver insert portion 106 locatedat an insertable end 114 of the bar 104. The assembly can also include aflexible securement pin 102 or a rigid securement pin 102 coupled to thebar 104 at a fixed distance 110 from the engagement end 112 of the pin102. The assembly 100 can thereby accommodate repetitive, same locationpositioning of the engagement end 112 of the pin 102 (which can be apin-tip 116) at a pin-tip facing surface 120 in the pin-securedconfiguration 302 of the insert bar assembly 100.

In at least one embodiment of the technology, an insert bar assembly 100can include an elongate body 124 of a securement pin 102 having asubstantially uniform cross-sectional area taken perpendicular to alengthwise axis thereof between the engagement end 112 of the pin 102and the location at which the pin 102 is coupled to the bar 104. In atleast one embodiment the elongate body 124 of the securement pin 102 canhave a non-straight lengthwise shape taken along the lengthwise axis ofthe bar 104.

In at least one embodiment of the technology, an insert bar assembly 100houses a lock assembly 202 comprising a cap-cover 204 which can bepivotally mounted to the elongate hitch-attachment bar 104 that, when ina locked configuration 300, shields the coupled end 128 of thesecurement pin 102 from unauthorized contact or access.

In at least one embodiment of the technology, an insert bar assembly 100for a hitch-rack load carrier has a leveraged, diagonally directedexpander 500 for the purpose of securing the insert bar assembly 100 ina rectangularly shaped hitch receiver. The insert bar assembly cancomprise an elongate hitch-attachment bar 104 having a length, width andheight. The assembly 100 can comprise a hitch-receiver insert portion(106) located at or near a lead-in or insertable end 114 of the bar 104.The assembly can also contain an expander 500 which extends and retractsrelative to an exterior surface 502 of the hitch-receiver insert portion106 in response to relative motion of the expander 500 on the bar 104.The assembly 100 can further comprise a leveraging rocker-arm 504 orrocking-arm inter-coupling the expander 500, the hitch-attachment bar104 and a manually operable actuator 506 for configured to move theexpander 500 along the hitch-receiver insert portion 106 in response tomanipulation of the actuator 506. Movement of the expander 500 canenable the assembly 100 to be attachable to hitches of varying size.

In at least one embodiment of the technology, an insert bar assembly 100has a hitch-attachment bar 104 that has a body 508 that is continuouslysolid along at least a majority of the length of the hitch-attachmentbar 104. The assembly can contain an expander 500 having a wedge-shapedlower surface 600 which abuttingly rests on a ramped exterior surface602 of the hitch-receiver insert portion 106. The hitch-attachment bar104 at the hitch-receiver insert portion 106 can be predominantlyrectangularly shaped in cross-sections taken perpendicularly to thelength of the bar 104. The hitch attachment bar 104 can comprise abeveled corner 604 which makes up a diagonally outwardly facing exteriorsurface 502 on which the ramped exterior surface 602 of thehitch-receiver insert portion 106 can be located.

In at least one embodiment of the technology, an assembly 100 cancomprise a leveraging rocker-arm 504 which pivots on a pivot axis 700which can be oriented substantially parallel to the diagonally outwardlyfacing exterior surface 502 of the bar 104. The leveraging rocker-arm504 can contain a link arm 510 located toward the expander 500 from thepivot axle 702. The arm 504 can further contain a drive arm 512 whichmay be coupled to the link arm 510 located on an opposite side of thepivot axle 702 from the expander 500.

In at least one implementation of the technology, the manually operableactuator 506 further can comprise a threaded bolt 900 which can bethreadingly engaged in a threaded receiving aperture 902. The aperture902 can perpendicularly extend into the diagonally outwardly facingexterior surface 502 of the hitch attachment bar 104. The actuator 506can comprise a knob 904 fixed upon the bolt 900. Rotation of the knob904 in one direction can cause advancement of the bolt 900 into thethreaded receiving aperture 902 and rotation of the knob 904 in theopposite direction can cause advancement of the bolt 900 out of thethreaded receiving aperture 902. The bolt 900 can be configured toextend through an aperture in the drive arm 512 of the leveragingrocker-arm 504.

Example implementations of the technology set forth mechanisms by whichan insertable end of a carrier rack assembly can be attached to a hitchwhich is not sized exactly the same as the insertable end of the carrierrack insert bar assembly. At least one implementation of the technologyis an adapter assembly 930 for an insert bar assembly 100 of ahitch-rack load carrier sized for insertion into a first tubular hitchreceiver having a first size but to be adapted for insertion into asecond tubular hitch receiver 932 having a second, larger size. Anadapter assembly 930 can have a main body 938 which is configured tohouse or hold an elongate hitch-attachment bar 104 which issubstantially square in cross-sectional shape and sized for insertioninto a first tubular hitch receiver. The adapter assembly can include anexpansion member 946 coupled or connected to the main body 938 via acoupling 948. The coupling can accommodate or allow for or enableexpansion of the expansion member 946 away from the main body 938thereby enabling an insert bar assembly 100 to be fitted to a hitch witha receiving portion that is larger than that of the insert bar assembly100. In at least one implementation of the technology, an adapterassembly can comprise a first tubular hitch receiver which iscross-sectionally square and has an interior space that is one and aquarter inch square and a second tubular hitch receiver which iscross-sectionally square and has an interior space that is two inchsquare. Other sizing variations fall within the scope of thisdisclosure.

Example implementations have been described hereinabove regardingvarious example embodiments. The example embodiments are intended toconstitute non-limiting examples. The subject matter that is intended tobe within this disclosure is set forth in the following claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An insert bar assembly for a hitch-rackload carrier comprising a leveraged, diagonally directed expander forsecuring the insert bar assembly in a rectangularly shaped hitchreceiver, the insert bar assembly comprising: an elongatehitch-attachment bar having a length, width and height, and comprising ahitch-receiver insert portion located proximate a lead-in end of thebar; an expander that extends and retracts relative to an exteriorsurface of the hitch-receiver insert portion in response to relativemotion of the expander on the bar; and a leveraging rocker-arminter-coupling the expander, the hitch-attachment bar and a manuallyoperable actuator for moving the expander along the hitch-receiverinsert portion in response to manipulation of the actuator.
 2. Theinsert bar assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein a body of thehitch-attachment bar is continuously solid along a substantial entiretyof the length of the hitch-attachment bar.
 3. The insert bar assembly asrecited in claim 1, wherein a body of the hitch-attachment bar iscontinuously solid along at least a majority of the length of thehitch-attachment bar.
 4. The insert bar assembly as recited in claim 3,wherein the expander has a wedge-shaped lower surface that abuttinglyrests on a ramped exterior surface of the hitch-receiver insert portion.5. The insert bar assembly as recited in claim 4, wherein thehitch-attachment bar at the hitch-receiver insert portion ispredominantly rectangularly shaped in cross-sections takenperpendicularly to the length of the bar, and the hitch attachment barhas a beveled corner constituting a diagonally outwardly facing exteriorsurface on which the ramped exterior surface of the hitch-receiverinsert portion is located.
 6. The insert bar assembly as recited inclaim 5, wherein the hitch-attachment bar at the hitch-receiver insertportion is substantially pentagon shaped in cross-sections takenperpendicularly to the length of the bar.
 7. The insert bar assembly asrecited in claim 5, wherein the leveraging rocker-arm pivots in a planeperpendicular to the diagonally outwardly facing exterior surface. 8.The insert bar assembly as recited in claim 5, wherein the leveragingrocker-arm pivots on a pivot axis oriented substantially parallel to thediagonally outwardly facing exterior surface.
 9. The insert bar assemblyas recited in claim 8, wherein the leveraging rocker-arm pivots on apivot axle extending across the hitch-attachment bar and intersectingdiagonal corners of the hitch-attachment bar.
 10. The insert barassembly as recited in claim 8, wherein the leveraging rocker-armcomprises a link arm located toward the expander from the pivot axle anda drive arm located on an opposite side of the pivot axle from theexpander.
 11. The insert bar assembly as recited in claim 10, whereinthe manually operable actuator further comprises: a threaded boltthreadingly engaged in a threaded receiving aperture perpendicularlyextending into the diagonally outwardly facing exterior surface of thehitch attachment bar; a knob fixed upon the bolt and rotation of theknob in one direction causes advancement of the bolt into the threadedreceiving aperture and rotation of the knob in the opposite directioncauses advancement of the bolt out of the threaded receiving aperture;and wherein the bolt extends through an aperture in the drive arm of theleveraging rocker-arm and the knob is located on an opposite side of thedrive arm to the elongate hitch-attachment bar.
 12. The insert barassembly as recited in claim 10, wherein the manually operable actuatorfurther comprises: a threaded shaft perpendicularly fixed to thediagonally outwardly facing exterior surface of the hitch attachmentbar; a knob threadingly engaged upon the shaft and rotation of the knobin one direction causes advancement down the shaft and rotation of theknob in the opposite direction causes advancement up the shaft; andwherein the shaft extends through an aperture in the drive arm of theleveraging rocker-arm and the knob is located on an opposite side of thedrive arm to the elongate hitch-attachment bar.
 13. The insert barassembly as recited in claim 12, wherein the aperture in the drive armof the leveraging rocker-arm is a slot that permits the drive arm totranslate back and forth relative to the shaft.
 14. The insert barassembly as recited in claim 8, wherein the link arm of the leveragingrocker-arm is pivotally coupled to one end of an elongate extension rodthat is coupled at an opposite end to the expander.
 15. The insert barassembly as recited in claim 14, the leveraging rocker-arm and theengagement between the wedge-shaped lower surface of the expander andthe ramped exterior surface of the hitch-receiver insert portion arearranged so that a lengthwise axis of the elongate extension rod remainssubstantially parallel to a lengthwise axis of the elongatehitch-attachment bar during operation of the manually operable actuator.16. An insert bar assembly for a hitch-rack load carrier comprising anexpander for securing the insert bar assembly in a hitch receiver, theinsert bar assembly comprising: an elongate hitch-attachment barcomprising a hitch-receiver insert portion located proximate a lead-inend of the bar; an expander that extends and retracts relative to anexterior surface of the hitch-receiver insert portion in response torelative lateral motion of the expander along an exterior surface of thebar; and a leveraging rocker-arm inter-coupling the expander, thehitch-attachment bar and a manually operable actuator for moving theexpander along the hitch-receiver insert portion in response tomanipulation of the actuator.
 17. The insert bar assembly as recited inclaim 16, wherein the elongate hitch-attachment bar is substantiallysquare in cross-sectional shape and the expander extends and retractsdiagonally relative to the bar.